Balancing system for a washing machine

ABSTRACT

A balancing system for a washing machine and a method for operating a balancing system of a washing machine are described. A first controller is connected to a pump of at least one compartment system for controlling the pump, and the first controller is positioned on a drum. A second controller is configured to determine an imbalance of the drum when the drum is rotating and control activation or deactivation of the pump of the at least one compartment system via the first controller.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is the U.S. national phase of PCT Application No.PCT/EP2019/057738 filed on Mar. 27, 2019, the disclosure of which isincorporated in its entirety by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure relates to a balancing system for a washing machine andto a method for operating a balancing system of a washing machine.

BACKGROUND

Although applicable to any washing machine comprising a drum, thepresent disclosure will mainly be described in conjunction with awashing machine comprising a horizontally rotating drum.

The balancing problem of a washing machine when spinning at highrotational speeds, e.g., during a drying cycle, is one of the mostimportant problems. It is an important criterion that affects theperformance of the machine. It is desirable to distribute the laundry ina balanced way in the machine, but this is virtually impossible sincethe laundry will distribute within the drum in an accidental manner. Anunbalanced drum will cause strong vibration if not moving of the washingmachine and also produces a lot of noise. Previous solutions to thisproblem are mainly based on estimations of the imbalance by software andthe subsequent correction of this imbalance by various means which mayrequire a relatively high number of trial and error cycles.

Accordingly, there is a need for an improved balancing system whichbalances the drum in a relatively short time period.

SUMMARY

The above stated problem is solved by the features of the independentclaims. It is understood, that independent claims of a claim categorymay be formed in analogy to the dependent claims of another claimcategory.

Disclosed is a washing machine comprising

-   -   a drum wherein laundry is to be placed,    -   a tub wherein the drum moves,    -   a motor configured to drive the tub,    -   at least one compartment system provided on the wall of the drum        comprising    -   a pair of compartments, said compartments suitable for storing a        liquid, the two compartments of the pair of compartments placed        centrosymmetrical with respect to the center of the drum on the        wall of the drum, and    -   a pipe connecting the pair of compartments with each other,    -   a pump configured to pump a liquid from one compartment of the        pair of compartments to the second compartment of the pair of        compartments and vice versa,    -   a first controller connected to the pump of the at least one        compartment system and for controlling the pump and positioned        on the drum,    -   a second controller configured to determine an imbalance of the        drum when the drum is rotating and control the activation or        deactivation of the pump of the at least one compartment system        via the first controller.

The second controller may be configured to:

determine a first imbalance value;when the first imbalance value is above a predefined imbalance value,control the pump to transfer liquid from one compartment of the pair ofcompartments to the second compartment of the pair of compartments, anddetermine a second imbalance value,wherein when determining that the second imbalance value is below thefirst imbalance value and not below the predefined imbalance value,control the pump to continue transferring liquid from one compartment ofthe pair of compartments to the second compartment of the pair ofcompartments,wherein when determining by the second controller that the secondimbalance value is above the first imbalance value, control the pump totransfer liquid from the second compartment of the pair of compartmentsto the first compartment of the pair of compartments, andwherein when determining by the second controller that the secondimbalance value is below the predefined imbalance value, control thepump to stop transferring liquid.

The washing machine may comprise a transmitter connected to the secondcontroller and comprises a receiver connected to the first controller,and the second controller is configured to transfer a control signal viathe transmitter to the receiver of the first controller wirelessly.

The washing machine may comprise a power source on the drum configuredto provide electrical energy to the first controller and the at leastone compartment system, wherein the power source is replaceable and/orwirelessly rechargeable.

The washing machine may comprise at least two of the compartmentsystems, preferably two of the compartment systems, and all compartmentson the drum being equidistant to each other on the wall of the drum andthe first controller being connected to each pump of the respectivecompartment systems.

Each pair of compartments of one compartment system may be connected bya separate pipe and each pair of compartments of one compartment systemmay form a closed liquid circuit.

All compartments of the compartment systems may be connected by a sharedpipe connecting all compartments with each other and the entirety of thecompartment systems may form a closed liquid circuit.

Disclosed is also a method for controlling the imbalance of the washingmachine as defined above, the method comprising, by the secondcontroller, determining an imbalance of the drum when the drum isrotating,

controlling the pump of the at least one compartment system via thefirst controller.

The method may comprise determining a first imbalance value;

when the first imbalance value is above a predefined imbalance value,controlling the pump to transfer liquid from one compartment of the pairof compartments to the second compartment of the pair of compartments,anddetermining a second imbalance value,wherein when determining that the second imbalance value is below thefirst imbalance value and not below the predefined imbalance value,controlling the pump to continue transferring liquid from onecompartment of the pair of compartments to the second compartment of thepair of compartments,wherein when determining by the second controller that the secondimbalance value is above the first imbalance value, controlling the pumpto transfer liquid from the second compartment of the pair ofcompartments to the first compartment of the pair of compartments, andwherein when determining by the second controller that the secondimbalance value is below the predefined imbalance value, controlling thepump to stop transferring liquid.

Further embodiments of the present disclosure are subject of the furthersubclaims and of the following description, referring to the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure andadvantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptiontaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The disclosure isexplained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments which arespecified in the schematic figures of the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a washing machine 100 of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates a section of the compartment system 105 for a washingmachine 100 of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates a method for balancing the drum 102 of a washingmachine 100 using the compartment system 105 of the present disclosure.

In the figures like reference signs denote like elements unless statedotherwise.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and describedherein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the artthat a variety of alternate and/or equivalent implementations exist. Itshould be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplaryembodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope,applicability, or configuration in any way. Rather, the foregoingsummary and detailed description will provide those skilled in the artwith a convenient road map for implementing at least one exemplaryembodiment, it being understood that various changes may be made in thefunction and arrangement of elements described in an exemplaryembodiment without departing from the scope as set forth in the appendedclaims and their legal equivalents. Generally, this application isintended to cover any adaptations or variations of the specificembodiments discussed herein.

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a washing machine 100 of the presentdisclosure. The washing machine 100 comprises a drum 102, into whichlaundry is to be placed and a tub 103 wherein the drum 102 moves inrotating fashion. A housing 101 of the drum 102 is also illustrated. Theview is a view along the rotational axis of the drum 102. The washingmachine 100 can be a washing machine 100 with a horizontally moving drum102 or a vertically moving drum 102, preferably a washing machine 100with a horizontally moving drum 102. The drum 102 consists ofcylindrical wall and a disk-like backside and is open to the front side.The washing machine 100 can comprise a lid (not illustrated) reversiblysealing or closing the tub 103 from the exterior of the housing 101. Thetub 103 is sealed from the inside of the housing 101 to prevent liquidfrom flowing into the housing 101 and connected by conventional tubing103 to a water inlet and a water outlet (not illustrated).

The washing machine 100 can also comprise a motor 104 for rotatablymoving the drum 102 via driving means, i.e., a drive, e.g., by a wheelconnected to the backside of the drum 102 and a belt connecting the drum102 with a drive of the motor 104. The drum 102 may comprise at leastone baffle (not illustrated) positioned on the wall, preferably three orfive baffles which assist in preventing the laundry from sticking to theinside of the wall of the drum 102 and assist in creating turbulences inthe washing liquid comprising the laundry and thus an improved washingefficiency.

The washing machine 100 is equipped with a compartment system 105 forreducing the potential imbalance of a drum 102 of the washing machine100 as illustrated in FIG. 1 and also in more detail in FIG. 2.

The washing machine 100 comprises at least one compartment system 105.The compartment system 105 comprises a pair, i.e., two, compartments 106suitable for storing a liquid. The two compartments 106 of the pair ofcompartments 106 placed centrosymmetrical with respect to the center ofthe drum 102 on the wall of the drum 102, i.e., they are positioned onthose sections of the wall of the drum 102 which are opposed to eachother. The compartments 106 are firmly affixed to the drum 102 bysuitable attachment means, e.g., by welds, screws, etc. The compartments106 can be made of any suitable fluid-tight material, like e.g., metalor plastic. Each of the compartments may be have the same dimensions andespecially be configured to house the same volume.

A pipe 107 (or tubing) fluidly couples the two compartments 106. Thepipe 107 is placed on the wall of the drum 102 and is firmly affixed tothe drum 102 by suitable attachment means, e.g., by welds, screws, etc.Thus, the pipe 107 is placed circumferentially over the wall of the drum102. In this way the pipe 107 is prevented from detaching from the drum102 even when the drum 102 is spinning at high speed. A pipe 107 can bemade of any suitable fluid-tight material, like e.g., metal or plastic.

In FIG. 2 it is illustrated that one compartment 106 is connected to twopipes 107, however, it also possible that the compartment 106 isconnected to only one pipe 107.

The compartment system 105 also comprises at least one pump 108 whichmay be positioned directly at the connection between one compartment 106and the pipe 107 or at any section of the pipe 107. The pump 108 isbidirectional and thus configured to pump 108 liquid from onecompartment 106 of the pair of compartments 106 to the secondcompartment 106 of the pair of compartments 106 and vice versa, i.e.,from the second compartment 106 into the first compartment 106.

Furthermore, the compartment system 105 can be equipped with valves 114regulating the flow between compartments 106 which may be positioneddirectly at the connection between one compartment 106 and the pipe 107or at any section of the pipe 107. Preferably, the valves 114 are placedat a connection between the compartment 106 and the pipe 107. Due to thevalves 114 the pump 108 does not prevent the flow of fluid when the pump108 is turned off and the amount of liquid in the compartments 106 canbe maintained without an activated pump 108. Each compartment may besealable from the remainder of the compartment system by two valves 114.

The compartment system 105 is a closed circuit with respect to theliquid contained therein. Thus, regularly no liquid is removed from thecompartment system 105 or added. A maintenance valve (not illustrated)which is closed during operation of the washing machine 100 and providesa connection from the compartment system 105 to the space outside thecompartment system 105 may be provided. In this way, the liquid may beexchanged, removed or added when required when the washing machine 100is not operating. The liquid may be any suitable liquid, that is liquidat room temperature. For example, the liquid may be water, distilledwater or/and water containing preservatives. Before operation the pipesmay be filled completely with liquid and the liquid in each compartmentof the compartment system 105 may occupy up to 50 vol./vol. % of thevolume of each compartment 106.

Each compartment 106 can also comprise a gaseous exchange means 115,e.g., a membrane window 115, which is impermeable to the liquid in thecompartment system 105, but permeable to air. Due to the gaseousexchange means 115 it is possible to modify the amount of liquid withina compartment 106 without producing a pressure drop or rise in thecompartments 106 when adapting the amount of liquid in the respectivecompartments 106.

The gaseous exchange means 115 are preferably positioned at section ofthe wall of the compartment 106 that is close to the wall of the drum102. During the spinning of the drum 102 this section which is closer tothe axial center of the drum 102 will remain free of liquid due to thecentrifugal force exerted by the drum 102. Thus, air can transferthrough the gaseous exchange means 115 from within the compartment 106to the outside or vice versa.

Furthermore, a first controller 109 is operably connected to the pump108 and to the optionally present valves 114. The controller canactivate or deactivate the pump 108 and can also signal to the pump 108that it is operating in a normal mode or a reverse mode. The firstcontroller 109 is positioned on the drum 102.

The washing machine 100 may also contain a second controller 110configured to determine an imbalance of the drum 102 when the drum 102is rotating. The second controller 110 may also control the pump 108 ofthe at least one compartment system 105 via the first controller 109.The second controller is usually not affixed to the drum, but may bepositioned in another place within the housing and this is not placed onany moving part.

The imbalance of the drum 102 can be determined by a known system of theart. For example, a sensor maybe mounted on a rotation shaft on whichthe drum 102 rotates for detecting irregularities involved in rotationof the drum 102. Alternatively or in addition, a vibration sensor (notillustrated) may be placed on the tub 103, e.g., a magnetorestrictivesensor or load cell.

The first controller 109 can thus be operatively connected to sensorsconfigured to determine an imbalance of the drum 102 when the drum 102is rotating and thus the first controller 109 is configured to determinean imbalance of the drum 102 and control the activation or deactivationof the pump 108 of the compartment system 105 via the first controller109, for example, by sending an appropriate signal to the firstcontroller 109 which in turn sends an appropriate signal to the pump 108and optionally the valves 114. The connection of the first controller109 with the pump 108 and/or valves 114 is provided by appropriatesignaling cables which are fixed to the drum 102, e.g., parallel to thepipe(s) 107.

In particular, the second controller 110 may contain a memory comprisinga predefined imbalance value, i.e., a threshold value. An imbalancevalue is a measure of the degree of imbalance determined by the secondcontroller 110 and the above described sensors. The imbalance value willdepend on the particular imbalance determination system used. Forexample, in case of the use of a vibrational sensor, a degree ofvibration can be determined. A predefined imbalance value is a fixedthreshold value that defines beginning with which imbalance value thedrum 102 is considered to be imbalanced. The imbalance value may bepredefined or present in the memory connected to the second controller110 or may be adapted by the input of a user.

When the drum 102 is rotating the second controller 110 can determinewhether an imbalance exists by comparing the determined imbalance valuewith the predefined imbalance value. The determination may only beactivated when the rotation of the drum 102 is above a certain rotationthreshold, for example, 1000 rotations per minute or any rotationthreshold that indicates a spinning mode of the washing machine 100.

The second controller 110 can be configured to: determine whether afirst imbalance value is above the predefined imbalance value, and thencontrol the pump 108 to transfer liquid from one compartment 106 of thepair of compartments to the second compartment 106 of the pair ofcompartments 106. After this step the second controller 110 can performa further imbalance determination and determine a second imbalancevalue. The second imbalance value is determined after a fixed timeperiod after the determination of the first imbalance value, e.g., 0.5seconds, 1 second, 1.5 seconds, or up to 10 seconds. The imbalance valuemay be proportional or inverse proportional to the determined imbalance.While the present disclosure describes an imbalance value isproportional to the determined imbalance, it also disclosed that theimbalance value is inverse proportional to the determined imbalanceresulting in an reversed relation of the determined imbalance values.

Dependent on the determined imbalance value different consequences areforeseen:

When determining that the second imbalance value is below the firstdetermined imbalance value, but still not below the predefined imbalancevalue, the pump 108 is controlled to continue to transfer liquid fromthe first compartment 106 to the second compartment 106 of the pair ofcompartments 106.

Alternatively, when determining by the second controller 110 that thesecond imbalance value is above the first imbalance value, i.e., theimbalance of the drum 102 has further deteriorated, the secondcontroller 110 controls the pump 108 to transfer liquid from the secondcompartment 106 of the pair of compartments 106 to the first compartment106 of the pair of compartments 106, i.e., in the reverse direction. Anyvalves 114 which are closed and may hinder the transport of liquid maybe opened to allow the transfer of liquid.

A further (third and further) imbalance value can be subsequentlydetermined, which may result in the above described outcomes or in thefollowing outcome:

When determining by the second controller 110 that the second imbalancevalue is below the predefined imbalance value, i.e., the imbalance isnow in an acceptable range, the second controller 110 controls the pump108 to stop transferring liquid. Any valves 114 which are open and mayallow the transfer of liquid may be closed to prevent the transfer offurther liquid.

Preferably, the washing machine 100 comprises a transmitter 111connected to the second controller 110 and comprises a receiver 112connected to the first controller 109, and the second controller 110 isconfigured to transfer a control signal via the transmitter 111 to thereceiver 112 of the first controller 109 wirelessly.

The washing machine 100 may further comprise a power source on the drum102 configured to provide electrical energy to the first controller 109and the at least one compartment system 105. This power source may be areplaceable and/or wirelessly rechargeable, e.g., via inductivecharging.

In a preferred aspect of the disclosure, the washing machine 100comprises at least two of the compartment systems 105, preferably two ofthe compartment systems 105. All compartments 106 on the drum 102 may beequidistant to each other on the wall of the drum 102, as illustrated inFIG. 1, and the first controller 109 may be connected to each pump 108and/or valve 114 of the compartment systems 105 by appropriate cabling.Alternatively, the washing machine 100 may comprise further firstcontroller 109 s, one for each compartment system 105. The advantage ofhaving two compartment systems 105 consisting of two compartments 106each is that they will be positioned exactly at 90° to each other withrespect to the axis of the drum 102 on the wall of the drum 102. Thus,the imbalance of the drum 102 may be more efficiently reduced. However,it also considered that the washing machine 100 comprises more than twocompartment systems 105, e.g. any number between 3-20 to further refinethe imbalance control mechanism.

When the washing machine 100 comprises more than two compartment systems105 the procedure for determining a first and further imbalance valuefollowed by the appropriate activation or deactivation of the pump 108and/or valves 114 for each compartment system 105 may be sequentiallyfor the compartment systems 105 or concurrently until the second orfurther imbalance value is below the predetermined imbalance value. Theprocedure for controlling the pumps 108 of the respective compartmentsystems 105 sequentially may be performed by performing the procedurewith no time delay between the successive respective procedures for eachcompartment system 105.

When the washing machine 100 comprises more than two compartment systems105 each pair of compartments 106 of one compartment system 105 may beconnected by a separate pipe 107 and thus each pair of compartments 106of one compartment system 105 forms a closed liquid circuit.

Alternatively, all pairs of compartments 106 of one compartment system105 are connected by a shared pipe 107 connecting all compartments 106with each other and the entirety of the compartment systems 105 forms aclosed liquid circuit. By suitably activating and deactivating of thepumps 108 and/or opening/closing of the valves 114 in the closedcircuit, liquid may be transferred from one compartment 106 of a firstcompartment system 105 via another compartment 106 of a secondcompartment system 105 positioned between the second compartment 106 ofthe first compartment system 105 while maintaining the amount of liquidin the compartment 106 positioned between by allowing the same amount ofliquid to enter and leave the compartment 106 positioned between, byopening the optionally present valves 114 limiting access to thecompartment 106 in between and/or activating a pump 108 associated withthe compartment 106 in between and belong to a second compartment system105.

Disclosed is also a method for controlling the imbalance of the washingmachine 100 as defined above and illustrated in FIG. 3, the methodcomprising starting a determination S1 by the second controller 110,determining S2 an imbalance of the drum 102 when the drum 102 isrotating, controlling S4 the pump 108 of the at least one compartmentsystem 105 via the first controller 109.

The method may further comprise determining S2 a first imbalance value;when the first imbalance value is above a predefined imbalance value S3,controlling S4 the pump 108 to transfer liquid from one compartment 106of the pair of compartments 106 to the second compartment 106 of thepair of compartments 106, and determining S2 a second imbalance value,wherein when determining that the second imbalance value is below thefirst imbalance value S3 and not below the predefined imbalance value,controlling S4 the pump 108 to continue transferring liquid from onecompartment 106 of the pair of compartments 106 to the secondcompartment 106 of the pair of compartments 106, wherein whendetermining S3 by the second controller 110 that the second imbalancevalue is above the first imbalance value, controlling S4 the pump 108 totransfer liquid from the second compartment 106 of the pair ofcompartments 106 to the first compartment 106 of the pair ofcompartments 106, and wherein when determining S3 by the secondcontroller 110 that the second imbalance value is below the predefinedimbalance value, controlling S5 the pump 108 to stop transferringliquid.

Provided is a balancing system for a washing machine 100 and to a methodfor operating the balancing system of a washing machine 100.

A balancing system for a washing machine 100 and to a method foroperating the balancing system of a washing machine 100 is described,wherein a first controller 109 is connected to the pump 108 of the atleast one compartment system 105 and for controlling the pump 108 andpositioned on the drum 102, and a second controller 110 is configured todetermine an imbalance of the drum 102 when the drum 102 is rotating andcontrol the activation or deactivation of the pump 108 of the at leastone compartment system 105 via the first controller 109.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

-   100 Washing machine-   101 Housing-   102 Drum-   103 Tub-   104 Motor-   105 Compartment system-   106 Compartment-   107 Pipe-   108 Pump-   109 First controller-   110 Second controller-   111 Transmitter-   112 Receiver-   113 Drive-   114 Valve 114(s)-   115 Gaseous exchange means-   S1-S5 Method steps

1. A washing machine comprising: a drum wherein laundry is to be placed, a tub wherein the drum moves is movable, a motor configured to drive the tub, at least one compartment system provided on a wall of the drum comprising: a pair of compartments, suitable for storing a liquid, the pair of compartments placed centrosymmetrical with respect to a center of the drum on the wall of the drum, and a pipe connecting the pair of compartments with each other, a pump configured to pump a liquid from first compartment of the pair of compartments to a second compartment of the pair of compartments and vice versa, a first controller connected to the pump of the at least one compartment system and for controlling the pump and positioned on the drum, a second controller configured to determine an imbalance of the drum when the drum is rotating and control the activation or deactivation of the pump of the at least one compartment system via the first controller.
 2. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein the second controller is configured to: determine a first imbalance value; when the first imbalance value is above a predefined imbalance value, control the pump to transfer liquid from the first compartment of the pair of compartments to the second compartment of the pair of compartments, and determine a second imbalance value, wherein when determining that the second imbalance value is below the first imbalance value and not below the predefined imbalance value, control the pump to continue transferring liquid from the first compartment of the pair of compartments to the second compartment of the pair of compartments, wherein when determining by the second controller that the second imbalance value is above the first imbalance value, control the pump to transfer liquid from the second compartment of the pair of compartments to the first compartment of the pair of compartments, and wherein when determining by the second controller that the second imbalance value is below the predefined imbalance value, control the pump to stop transferring liquid.
 3. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein the washing machine comprises a transmitter connected to the second controller and a receiver connected to the first controller, and the second controller is configured to transfer a control signal via the transmitter to the receiver of the first controller wirelessly.
 4. The washing machine of claim 1, further comprising a power source on the drum configured to provide electrical energy to the first controller and the at least one compartment system, wherein the power source is replaceable and/or wirelessly rechargeable.
 5. The washing machine of claim 1, comprising wherein the at least compartment system comprises at least two of the compartment systems, and all compartments on the drum are equidistant to each other on the wall of the drum, and the first controller is connected to each pump of the respective compartment systems.
 6. The washing machine of claim 5, wherein each pair of compartments of one compartment system is connected by a separate pipe and each pair of compartments of one compartment system forms a closed liquid circuit.
 7. The washing machine of claim 5, wherein all compartments of the compartment systems are connected by the pipe, which is a shared pipe connecting all compartments with each other, and the entirety of the compartment systems forms a closed liquid circuit.
 8. A method for controlling imbalance of the washing machine of claim 1, the method comprising: by the second controller, determining an imbalance of the drum when the drum is rotating, controlling the pump of the at least one compartment system via the first controller.
 9. The method of claim 8, further comprising: determining a first imbalance value; when the first imbalance value is above a predefined imbalance value, controlling the pump to transfer liquid from the first compartment of the pair of compartments to the second compartment of the pair of compartments, and determining a second imbalance value, wherein when determining that the second imbalance value is below the first imbalance value and not below the predefined imbalance value, controlling the pump to continue transferring liquid from the first compartment of the pair of compartments to the second compartment of the pair of compartments, wherein when determining by the second controller that the second imbalance value is above the first imbalance value, controlling the pump to transfer liquid from the second compartment of the pair of compartments to the first compartment of the pair of compartments, and wherein when determining by the second controller that the second imbalance value is below the predefined imbalance value, controlling the pump to stop transferring liquid. 